Author's note: An update! I hope the story is getting a bit exciting for you too. I certainly have more fun writing this now. Too bad it's going to end soon huh… Well, my opinion anyway. Please, if you like it, drop me a line.

The Chase Begins

The icy wind blew in his face, as if mocking him. Shindou looked at the lean figure moving away from him, possibly for this lifetime. He turned and ran in the opposite direction. He dashed out of the park as fast as his leg could take him, leaving Akari gapping her mouth, stunned. It's no use chasing Akira now; he would probably throw me into the frozen river.

Shindou raced back home and stormed up the stairs, a habit his mother had recently grown to accept. She sighed deeply when he slammed the door shut.

I don't want him to go! I don't care about anything anymore! I want Akira with me. I want him to beat me in Go; I want him to press me about Sai. I want him to argue with me about the toothbrush and the go stone. It wouldn't even matter if we have to move to a deserted island just so people won't find out, I want him. Shindou thought franticly.

Before he could stop it, tears came pouring out.

Shindou lamented about his stupid mistakes, one after another. His pushiness, his lack of understanding, his stubbornness, his pride, his cruelty…

As he slowly drifted off to sleep, he whispered Akira's name over and over. On the brink of consciousness, Shindou decided that if this was how it was going to end between the two of them, this might as well be the end of all things.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

"I'm very sorry; he is still asleep right now. Touya-kun? No, he didn't… Is everything ok?" Shindou-san grabbed the receiver tight in her hand. She was wrong. Leaving them to sort things out by themselves was wrong. They are still kids; they needed her support and guidance.

"Alright then, thank you very much. I will call again later if you don't mind." The voice on the other side quivered as it said goodbye.

Shindou-san hung up the phone, and turned to go upstairs. The suffering stops here. She decided. Before she could climb the stairs to Shindou's room, the doorbell rang urgently.

"Akari-chan? I haven't seen you in so long! Are you here to see Hikaru? He is not up yet…" Shindou-san uttered her greeting to the visitor. What is going on? Akari and Hikaru haven't contacted each other for so long… why now? It's so unexpected.

"I'm sorry to trouble you so early in the morning, Shindou-san, but this is very very important. I must talk to Hikaru… It's… it's about Touya-kun." Akari casted her eyes down, away from Shindou-san's astonished look.

"Well, of course, come in. I will go call him…."Shindou-san shifted to let the girl in. She closed the door and headed for the stairs.

"No, Shindou-san, I will go up. Please don't come until we finish talking. Please… I mean no disrespect, but I have to talk to Hikaru privately." Akari pleaded.

Shindou-san paused. Akari was like her daughter, growing up with Shindou and coming over everyday. Akari simply sees this as her second home, and Shindou-san naturally regarded her as a close family member. She had grown to love this kind hearted and bright girl. Looking at her closely now, Shindou-san saw a beautiful young woman full of emotion and intelligence. She nodded. Akari can help.

Walking up the narrow stairs, Akari felt like a kid all over again. They, Shindou and her, used to chase each other up and down the stairs all the time. Shindou had slid down the railing and broke his leg. She had tumbled down the staircase and dislocated her collar bone… they were siblings, closer than siblings. What she did yesterday was a big mistake.

She opened the door and walked into the room. It's full of Shindou's things, his smell, his sound, and his colour. It's also full of their memories. She could feel her eyes welling up, why did she go and destroy all that?

"I think it's time you start to spill your guts." Akari said softly and walked to the bed. As suspected, Shindou was awake. He turned his glazed eyes toward her and sat up. Akari sat down by the bed and put her hand on his shoulder. She had to, she just had to fix this. Shindou sighed.

For an hour and a half, Shindou told Akari his whole history with Touya. From when they became friends when they were fifteen to lovers now they are eighteen.

So much had happened during the time they lived peacefully as a couple of simple friends and rivals. So much has changed since they confessed a year ago.

He told her their fight and his fear of losing him. He told her his anger and disappointment of Touya being ashamed. He told her his life without Touya; the empty heart without happiness, even for only a few days. When he finished, he let out a huge breath and collapsed unto his plopped up pillows.

"Hikaru, you idiot, I can't believe you guys are fighting over that! I know I don't understand your kind of love. But love is love! And that's all that matters."

Akari jumped up and stood in front of Shindou. Her shadowed face was scary as she continued to scream her opinion. Her expression reminded Shindou of the young Akari back in the days when they would play Hide-and-Seek and Shindou would cheated by peeking…

"You were busy thinking how Touya-kun doesn't want to tell anyone! But why do you want to tell everyone? It's for the same reason! You want to feel accepted. You are just like Touya-kun! You are scared too, maybe more than him!!" Akari reasoned.

"No…" Shindou retorted.

"That's why you wanted so much reassurance. You wanted people to say 'yes, I approve'. You are just more open! That doesn't make you free of any insecurity you feel about your relationship! You remember that time when I failed that test, and instead of letting my mom find out about it, I went and told her? Did you think I was proud? That's how you are now! I can't believe you blamed Touya-kun for all that! What about you? Are you really that innocent?"

"Enough!" Shindou snapped. 'Are you really that innocent? Are you really that innocent? Are you really….' "That's not true! Don't twist the truth! I just wanted to know for sure that being with him is the right thing to do. I love Touya, and I would never be ashamed of that!"

Akari was startled for a second, and then she gasped when she saw the tears sliding down his face. Shindou didn't cry the time he broke his leg…

"Oh…I'm so sorry! I, I'm just talking nonsense; what do I know, right? I… oh Hikaru, don't cry!" She sat back down beside him and petted him on his shoulder. "Of course you love Touya-kun… look at you."

"No, you were right. I...I... was afraid. I was, Akari." Shindou looked up.

"I know. There is nothing wrong with that." Akari tried hard to comfort him.

"But I wasn't afraid because I was ashamed. Really, Akari, I was only afraid that when they find out, I will lose him. I can't. Do you understand? I mustn't lose him. But because of my stupidity, I'm losing him now." Shindou was in an emotional upheaval, and Akari was flustered. A few years ago, kill her and she still wouldn't believe Shindou was capable of being deeply in love.

"I think I get it now… Akari, I owe you big time." He looked up, his eyes brighter than ever; he smiled sincerely for the first time in the past weeks.

"Don't regret you said that! You know what? Maybe it's better for Yuki to be so busy." Akari said thoughtfully. Her eyes twinkling mischievously.

"Oh? Why?" Shindou rubbed his eyes.

"Well, I can't help but wonder, do all the people with so much time in their hands do stupid things like this? I mean, here I am yearning for my boyfriend to pay me more attention, and you guys just have to push each other out of your arms. Do you guys have nothing better to do?" Akari said indignantly. "Shindou, remember, trust in unspoken words. You have to trust that the other trust you."

Shindou looked at her with huge eyes, where the heck did she get that?

"You know, I just noticed something you should take in college. You would be awesome at it!" Shindou felt his heart lighten. So it wasn't Touya who was the problem, it was himself… I blamed Touya for something I couldn't get over…

"What?"

"Philosophy." Shindou said it like it was very obvious.

"I might just take your words for it."

Seeing how Akari twist her face, Shindou laughed again. "Well, Akari, I really am grateful. That's the advantage of having a childhood friend. They know everything about you, maybe more than you do yourself. I think I should go and fix this mess. See you soon, okay?"

Shindou jumped up and roughly brushed his hair.

"Don't take my advice but if I were Touya-kun, I would run if I see you like that." Akira leaned on the bed post and teased.

Shindou grunted, but nevertheless, he turned and walked into the bathroom. Ten minutes later, a showered, dried, and refreshed Shindou came out with a hair brush in hand.

"I think this will do?" he inquired nervously.

"Splendid. Go now." Akari nodded her approval.

Shindou grinned and walked a few steps to the door. He turned around, "OH, Are you sure you are going to be okay with Yuki?"

"Oh sure, I just have to tell him about the kiss, and then he would fire himself from all his jobs. That is if he cares enough about me." Akari winked.

"I don't want to die! Not now! Don't you dare!" Shindou turned again.

"Shindou, wait. I... I'm very sorry for what I have done." Akari mumbled.

"Hey, don't be silly. I never blamed you. I just don't know how to thank you for..." Shindou gestured clumsily.

"Don't mention it. Hey, if you really want it, you got my vote. Go get him!" she raised a fist.

"Thanks, I appreciate that. But you were right, it's not important anymore." Shindou walked away, determined. No matter what Touya have in store for me, or not have in store, I will be ready!

"Mom, I'm going out!"

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

"Touya-san, this is Shindou… I was wondering if Akira is home." Shindou stood inside the telephone booth in the station, half chiding himself for not thinking ahead and call at home.

"Oh dear… I thought he was with you originally. He didn't come home last night…" Akiko frowned, what is with that boy these days?

"Well, he was with me. And then he left and I…" Where the hell is he?

"Shindou-kun, would you mind me asking what's going on?" Akiko asked politely but forcefully.

"I'm very sorry, Touya-san… We didn't mean to make you worry. I promise you I will find him. He is as important to me as he is to you." Shindou said quietly. "Don't worry, I will find him. Then we will tell you…together."

Akiko widened her eyes slightly. She suddenly realized that her boy had grown up. He is flying too high for her to catch up and she has to let him go…

She swallowed her questions and complaints and said quietly, "Go find him, Shindou-kun. I'm counting on you."

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

The institute! Shindou hopped unto the train and headed for the institute. He didn't think Touya would be there at this time, but maybe someone would know where he is.

Skipping two steps at a time, Shindou burst into the front hall. He waited for the elevator like his pants were on fire, and he knocked several people over on his way to the game room. Shindou poked his head in and was nonetheless disappointed that the olive haired boy wasn't there.

"I didn't know you got a game today." Waya's voice came from behind him.

"Have you seen Akira?" Shindou asked urgently.

"Huh, how rude… We haven't seen your Akira. Why? He ran away from home?" Waya glared.

"Shindou, is everything ok?" Isumi's piercing gaze was searching him.

"Isumi-san, please… I have to find him."

"I see." Isumi paused and bit his lips. Suddenly, he smiled knowingly and added, "You should check the weekly-go department over on the west. I heard that Touya called for a news conference yesterday. They thought he wasn't going to show up this morning when he was late. But just a minute ago, Amano-sensei rushed out of here and was heading for the building. I guess Touya decided to go."

Isumi offered the useful information coolly, knowing his help this time would change the life of two young men.

"Thanks a lot." Shindou smiled gratefully. He was about to dash out when Waya grabbed his arm.

"Explain. I need to know what is going on."

"Waya!" Shindou and Isumi both screamed.

It was clear how determined Waya was. Shindou could feel the frustration boiling within; he could not afford to sit and chat. Besides, repeating the same story over and over doesn't sound appealing at all.

"Waya, I don't care if you will stop being my friend or whatever, since I don't like you much right now anyway. But I love Akira, Okay? And he is mad at me right now. So if you don't let go, you will regret it!"

Waya smiled triumphantly, apparantly very proud of himself. "I knew it! But really, Shindou, if you ever change your mind… I got a…"

A hand clasped his mouth just in time. "What Waya was trying to say is that you are our friend no matter what, and you have our votes. We wish you the best luck!" Isumi decided that he doesn't want to lose his partner just yet, even if he is a very lousy person.

A young reporter was so excited that he among all the other people there heard this piece of rare information. See if I won't get a raise for this. He thought to himself smugly. Little did he know that, if he went with Amano-san, he would be able to catch a bigger fish in the weekly-go department right now. But it doesn't hurt to get both sides of the story…

To Be Continued…

oXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXo

Previews for the next chapter:

-"Of course we already know!" …We? Shindou felt dread… "Now, are you going to stay here and chat, I brought some popcorn. Or are you going to go in there and…"

-"…Yes…. But what he didn't know was, all these days without him already started to ruin me."

- "Hey, I'm not the one broadcasting it! And surprisingly, it isn't Waya either!"

-"Shindou, you idiot!"

"Touya, you baka!"

"Obnoxious pest!"

"Stubborn bastard!"

oXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXo

Author's note: Well, that's that. I will try to update sooner since it's weird to pause in the middle of something that had just gotten exciting, agree? Well, I'm certainly enjoying myself, and if you do want to be helpful and supportive, drop a comment, I'm not stopping you.